Security Digest · Vulnerability record · Known exploited
CVE-2024-38812: VMware vCenter Server Heap-Based Buffer Overflow Vulnerability
Exploited in the wild (CISA KEV). The vCenter Server contains a heap-overflow vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol.
CISA KEV · added 2024-11-20 CVSS 9.8 Critical EPSS 54.6% · p99
Should you act?
Exploited: patch now if you run it
CISA has confirmed exploitation in the wild. This signal is computed from CISA KEV, EPSS and CVSS data; it is not an editorial verdict.
- Yes, if you run VMware vCenter Server. CISA added this CVE to its Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog on 2024-11-20, which means there is reliable evidence of exploitation in the wild. US federal agencies must remediate by 2024-12-11; treat that as the outer limit, not the target.
- EPSS 54.6%, percentile 99: FIRST’s model estimates a 54.6% chance of exploitation activity in the next 30 days, higher than 99% of all scored CVEs (very high). EPSS is a probability, not a verdict.
- Remotely reachable with no login and no user interaction. If the vulnerable service is exposed to the internet, prioritize it.
What it is
The vCenter Server contains a heap-overflow vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol. A malicious actor with network access to vCenter Server may trigger this vulnerability by sending a specially crafted network packet potentially leading to remote code execution.
CISA’s summary
VMware vCenter Server contains a heap-based buffer overflow vulnerability in the implementation of the DCERPC protocol. This vulnerability could allow an attacker with network access to the vCenter Server to execute remote code by sending a specially crafted packet.
Weakness type: CWE-122.
Product: VMware vCenter Server · Assigned by: vmware · Published: 2024-09-17
Affected and fixed versions
| Vendor | Product | Affected versions (per CVE record) |
|---|---|---|
| n/a | VMware vCenter Server | 8.0 < 8.0 U3b, 7.0 < 7.0 U3s |
| n/a | VMware Cloud Foundation | 5.x, 4.x |
Severity scores
| Scored by | CVSS | Score | Vector |
|---|---|---|---|
| vmware | 3.1 | 9.8 Critical | CVSS:3.1/AV:N/AC:L/PR:N/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H |
- Attack vector: network (remotely reachable)
- Attack complexity: low
- Privileges required: none (no login)
- User interaction: none
- Scope: unchanged
CVSS measures how bad a flaw is if exploited, not how likely exploitation is. Read it next to the exploitation data below.
Exploitation and urgency
- CISA KEV: added 2024-11-20; federal due date 2024-12-11. Known ransomware use: Unknown.
- CISA required action: Apply mitigations per vendor instructions or discontinue use of the product if mitigations are unavailable.
- CISA SSVC assessment: exploitation active, automatable yes, technical impact total.
- FIRST EPSS (model of 2026-10-21): 54.57% probability of exploitation activity in the next 30 days; percentile 99.
Timeline
- — CVE record published by vmware
- — Added to CISA’s Known Exploited Vulnerabilities catalog
- — CISA remediation deadline for US federal agencies
- — CVE record last updated
Sources and references
Original sources first. Version and fix details should always be confirmed against the vendor or project advisory.
Vendor and project advisories, patches
- Listed in CISA KEV notes (support.broadcom.com) support.broadcom.com
Vulnerability records
- CVE.org record CVE-2024-38812 cve.org
- NVD entry CVE-2024-38812 nvd.nist.gov
Government
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